Autopsy Results Show That UCSB Student Died of Accidental Overdose

A UC Santa Barbara student died from an accidental alcohol and drug overdose at a party on July 5, the Santa Barbara County Coroner ruled in an autopsy.

Police found the body of 20-year-old Nikola Kapamadžin at a home on 6793 Estero Drive and determined that he was dead at the scene, according to Kelly Hoover, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.  

The results of a toxicology test showed that Kapamadžin’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.217 at the time of death, and he had cocaine, benzoylecgonine, alprazolam, MDA and MDMA in his system.

Benzoylecgonine is the primary substance that the body uses to process cocaine.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is often referred to as ecstasy or molly and is used as a party drug. A similar drug found in his system, methylenedioxyamphetamin (MDA), is known as “Sally” or “sassafras.”

Alprazolam is a drug commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and is often sold as the name-brand drug Xanax.  

Kapamadžin had previous experience with alcohol and drugs, according to a friend of his who did not want to be named due to privacy concerns.

Hoover said police do not suspect foul play in Kapamadžin’s death.

The complete coroner’s report is expected to be completed next week, according to SBSO spokesperson Kevin Huddle.

Kapamadžin was entering his fourth year as a mathematics major in the College of Creative Studies. He was conducting research in electrical and computer engineering during the summer.    

The UCSB campus flag was lowered on July 12 to honor Kapamadžin’s life.